Efren Divided Chapter 1 by Ernesto Cisneros

Summary

The video script tells the story of Efren Nava, a young boy who wakes up to a new day in his close-knit family's small apartment. He shares a room and a mattress with his younger siblings, Mia and Max, and is part of a family where both parents work hard to make ends meet. Efren is a thoughtful and caring older brother, who even tries to correct his younger siblings' English. The story highlights the family's simple yet cherished morning routine, with their mother making sopes, a traditional meal, and emphasizing the importance of language and heritage. Efren's day takes a turn when he is allowed to walk to school alone for the first time, symbolizing a step towards independence. Along the way, he interacts with neighbors, including his friend David, who is characterized by his unique style and carefree attitude. The narrative also touches on the community's challenges, such as the presence of law enforcement helicopters, which are a stark reminder of the family's precarious situation in a neighborhood with a reputation for crime. Efren's journey to school is filled with small adventures, from feeding kittens to contemplating bringing guayabas as a gift for his teacher, and ends with a humorous exchange with David about school politics and popularity.

Takeaways

• 😄 Efren Nava, the protagonist, wakes up to his younger brother Max's foot in his face, showing a humorous start to their day.
• 🏡 The family lives in a small apartment with limited space, sharing a mattress and bathroom as their only private space.
• 👂 Efren tries a quirky method to keep his ears from sticking out by taping them to his head, hoping they will eventually 'freeze' into place.
• 📚 Efren loves reading and revisits books like an old friend, finding solace in the story of Bradley Chalkers from 'There's a Boy in the Girl's Bathroom'.
• 👨‍👧‍👦 Efren's family is close-knit, with his mother, Amma, being a hardworking woman who takes care of her children with love and determination.
• 🍲 Amma prepares sopes, a simple yet cherished meal in their family, reflecting their culture and the joy found in simple pleasures.
• 👮‍♂️ There's a sense of community and shared responsibility, as seen when the neighborhood goes into lockdown mode due to a helicopter overhead.
• 👧👦 Max and Mia, Efren's younger siblings, are full of energy and personality, with Max having a learning disability that the family acknowledges as a 'Milagro'.
• 🏫 Miss Solomon, a beloved teacher, shows concern for her students and is a source of support for Efren's family.
• 🚲 David, Efren's best friend, is an independent and somewhat rebellious character, offering Efren a sense of freedom and camaraderie.
• 👑 David's plan to run for school president is driven by a desire for popularity and to make changes in the school, despite Efren's reservations.
• 👕 Efren values his independence, as shown by his reluctance to wear a helmet or be overly dependent on his mother for getting to school.

Q & A

How does Efren wake up in the beginning of the story?

Efren wakes up with a chubby pajama foot in his face, which he initially mistakes for his sister Mia's, but soon realizes it belongs to his little brother Max.

What does Efren attempt to do to his ears every morning?

Efren tries to tape his ears back against his head in the hope that they will eventually freeze in that position and stop sticking out.

What is Efren's favorite breakfast food?

Efren's favorite breakfast is sopes, which are a type of thick corn tortilla topped with beans and fresh Ranchero cheese.

Why does Efren stay up late at night?

Efren stays up late because he is worried about his father, Ahmad, who has been working overtime hours at the factory and he is also concerned about the news of family separations and raids happening around town.

What is the significance of the helicopter that flies overhead?

The helicopter signifies the presence of law enforcement activity in the neighborhood, which is a source of tension and fear for the family due to the recent talks about raids and family separations.

How does Amma show her care for her children?

Amma shows her care by preparing breakfast for her children, ensuring they are well-dressed and neat before school, and by performing small miracles (mini Milagros) in their daily lives, such as making sopes for them.

What is the reason behind Max's learning difficulties?

Max's learning difficulties are due to the fact that he was born with his umbilical cord wrapped around his neck, which led to a lack of oxygen that hurt his brain.

Why does Miss Solomon want Amma's mole recipe?

Miss Solomon wants Amma's mole recipe because she has a date with a doctor and she promised to cook dinner for him. She believes Amma's mole will impress him.

What does David show off to Efren?

David shows off his new fake diamond stud earrings to Efren, which are large enough to cover his entire earlobes.

Why does David suggest that Efren should run for a school position?

David suggests Efren should run for a school position to gain instant popularity, which he believes would give them both more social status and choices among girls.

What is Efren's initial reaction to the idea of running for school president?

Efren is hesitant and not interested in running for school president, as he does not like the idea of extra work and is not into politics.